With the Breeders' Cup returning to historic Churchill Downs in just more than two months, your humble correspondent could no longer resist posting last Sunday's wonderful seventh race from New Jersey's Monmouth Park and the amazing call by announcer Larry Collmus.

A hat tip goes to Churchill's John Asher for posting this video on his Facebook page Monday morning. It truly is, as he wrote, "more proof of the magic of horse racing."

Photo: Courtesy of Monmouth Park

Ending a layoff since winning the Preakness on May 15th, Bob Baffert's Lookin At Lucky and jock Martin Garcia rolled in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at New Jersey's Monmouth Park over Trappe Shot.  In a photo finish for third, First Dude bested Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver.

By Josh Cook

Instead of lighting a firecracker and losing a finger or two on the Fourth of July, maybe you should just watch a Firecracker.

The Firecracker Handicap that is.

The Grade II turf race, which marks the return of 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird to Churchill Downs, highlights Sunday's final day of the 42-day Spring Meet at the Central Ave. track.  

By Josh Cook

Kiddari seems to like Churchill Downs, just like her momma.

The 4-year-old homebred daughter of 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones, won the feature race Friday night in front of a "Downs After Dark" record crowd of 32,481 at Churchill Downs.

By Josh Cook

The last time we saw Mine That Bird the gelding was struggling to a ninth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic last November.

The next time we see the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner racing again might be this weekend at Churchill Downs.

Mine That Bird had a "bullet" workout on the track Monday and could return there for his first post-Breeders' Cup race this weekend.

By Josh Cook

Rachel Alexandra got back on track Saturday. And in a big way.

The reigning Horse of the Year rebounded from back-to-back defeats to win the $214,000 Grade II Fleur de Lis Handicap for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs.

Rachel cruised to a 10 1/2-length victory over Distinctive Dixie, covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1 minute 48.78 seconds - just shy of a track record for that distance. 

A busy weekend at Churchill Downs kicks off tonight with the much-anticipated return of Downs After Dark. Gates open at 4 p.m. with the first post of the 11-race card scheduled for 6 p.m.

With a theme of Disco at the Downs, the "World's Most Legendary Race Track" will play host Louisville's favorite 70's cover band 100% Poly in the Paddock until 9 p.m.

Also in the Paddock, Happy Hours from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. will feature $2 Anheuser Busch products and other discounted food and drink offerings.

During the buzz of Derby Week, Walt Disney Pictures released the first trailer for it's next sports blockbuster-- one that hits really close to home: Secretariat.

So while Triple Crown talk started the minute Calvin Borel and Super Saver crossed the Churchill Downs finishline yesterday in the Kentucky Derby, here is a chance to remember one Triple Crown winner: Big Red

Starring Diane Lane and John Malkovich, the film opens nationwide in October.

Calvin Borel aboard Super Saver won the 136th Kentucky Derby, earning an unprecedented third victory in four years and giving conditioner Todd Pletcher his first win in the Run for the Roses after 24 prior attempts.

On winning his third Kentucky Derby, Borel said, "It never gets old."

Pletcher, who had four starters in the race, was humble in victory.

"I'm no better trainer today than I was yesterday," he said.